For a long time...

For a long time I couldn't think of anything I cared enough about to make into a cover photo.  But, this is one of my favorite pictures of me with a rescue dog (from October 2011).  It is a candid shot of me saying goodbye to Olive, (now known as Hazel), who was one of my foster dogs.  We were dropping her off at the transport to head up north to her wonderful forever family.

I was happy for her, but saying goodbye is never easy.  We went through a lot together and I loved her.  That is the case for most of my fosters.

I always feel so sad when I send them away.  They don't know why I'm suddenly putting them on a big scary truck for a long journey.  They can't possibly understand why they can't live out their years with me despite our bond.  How do you ask them to trust you that this is for the best when there is such a language barrier between you?

I feel that this is the part where they feel betrayed by me.  I always hug them and tell them I love them and I'm sorry for this, but that the journey will be worth it and life will be better.  I sincerely hope they come out on the other side knowing that I wanted great and beautiful things for them; that I was not simply discarding them as many of them had been done before.

I've loved animals all of my life, but...

I've loved animals all of my life, but I've been a volunteer in the animal rescue community since 2007 - almost 10 years now.  The things you see and hear, and some of the choices you have to make - it does change you.  I am 100% sure that compassion fatigue is a major contributor to my battle with depression now.

"One of the hallmark signs of [compassion fatigue] is that you cannot undo what you've been exposed to, and your worldview is forever changed."

https://www.thedodo.com/compassion-fatigue-working-animals-1986934409.html

Gel Nail Chrome Scale Fail.

Gel Nail Chrome Scale Fail.

Try saying that 3 times fast!

So these were done with the chrome powders I got last week. Chrome powders only work on certain types of gel polish, so that's what got me to FINALLY try gel polish.

UNFORTUNATELY I haven't had much experience with gels... literally, this was my first attempt at using real gel polish. I did a good bit of research on it several weeks ago, but by the time I sat down to try it out last night I guess most of what I'd read had gone out the window. 😕

First, I forgot to buff my nails. Then, even though I knew that thin coats were better when using gels - old habits die hard. I did ok, but gel flows easily and I flooded my cuticles. 😕 With regular polish I would just use an angled brush dipped in acetone to fix that, but that doesn't work on gels once they are cured.

So... my terrible solution to that was to clip the polish off me with cuticle nippers... while I was tired. Hence the chunk missing from my ring finger. LOL Since you can't just swipe a gel off and start over, it's on there for now. I'm sick and I have to study for another Calculus test, so it is what it is and that's ok.  Gotta keep my priorities straight (yay for adulting).  😛

I mostly wanted to try out my new stuff and now that I see how beautifully chrome and color-shifting these powders actually are, I'm happy.  I have never seen a nail polish that can achieve this effect quite so well, so these are pretty cool.  Also, if you're experienced in applying gel polish the chromes were super easy to apply.  You just buff it into your gel topcoat and seal!

Pardon my wonky camera angle, but it's hard to get a good pic when you have an interesting finish.  There were 8 powders in the set I bought.  These were my favorite 5 all used over black.  I also bought a silver for Shaun, of course.

I woke up on the edge of a migraine.

I woke up on the edge of a migraine. I am still coughing, congested, and blowing my nose. This feels AWFUL. 🙁

Yay, Friday. 😕

😳

😳

This chrome!!!

Pics tomorrow. 😃

We're still feeling pretty rough over here.

We're still feeling pretty rough over here.  I'm still coughing and blowing my nose and feeling generally run down and icky.  🙁  Shaun looked horrible earlier, but he's at work anyway.  I wish he'd go home soon and get some rest.

I'm pretty bummed that it's only Thursday.  I'm REALLY looking forward to a weekend of no other obligations except for studying.  But even if that is "all" I have to do that's gonna be some work because I have 3 pages of things to memorize for my next Calculus test (definitions and such, word for word).  The test has 6 parts and is worth 125 points.  I feel like it's gonna be a doozy.

I have no more fosters for now, and NO - that is not an open invitation to refill my house.  😛  I still have plenty of animals to care for.  I wish I wasn't so busy and had time to really enjoy all of them.  Unfortunately, they don't understand when I tell them that I'm working so hard so all of our lives can be better one day, but maybe a good many of them will hang around until then and find out.  I sure hope so.

For now I'm off to clean my litter boxes (I try to make that a morning chore, but some days it just doesn't happen), and if I'm too fried to study, perhaps I will do my nails.  I got my chrome powders in last week and I have REALLY wanted to try them, but I'm properly adulting and making school the priority most days.  Go me.  😛

Anyway.  Later, peeps.  Hang in there.  Just one more day until the weekend!

Beau / Roger chilling out with Tracy before heading into rescue.

Beau / Roger chilling out with Tracy before heading into rescue. He remembered her, for sure. I know they don't forget the ones who help them. ❤️

Safe travels, sweet boy! ❤️❤️❤️